[News] Valimaki and Hamonic at morning skate!

[Voodooman]

I think there's a case for either starter tonight. Part of me would like to see Rittich start in the game the Flames should, and need to win, and let Smith have a crack tomorrow and see if he can steal one in a game with lowered expectations due to the schedule.

On the other hand, Smith played well in his last start, and Rittich hasn't been lights out, so maybe you give Smith the net on a night the team should be highly motivated for the W.

I guess the right answer is that there's no wrong answer...

[TheOnlyBilko]

I hope everything is ok with Travis Hamonic family. ��

Travis seems like a real good guy especially with what he does with young children who lose a parent(s) to an untimely death.

Edit- I just read SureLoss post about Travis daughter I will pray for their family.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Kristen Anderson @KdotAnderson
Travis Hamonic and his wife had to rush their eight-month old daughter Charlie to the Alberta Children's Hospital on Sunday. "She's been really sick. It's been a hard week for my wife and I and our entire family...as a Dad it brings tears to your eyes for different reasons."

Kristen Anderson @KdotAnderson
"To see your daughter in that circumstance is a nightmare. But the Children's Hospital, the staff, the nurses, and the care that she got at that hospital was second to none." Hamonic and his wife Stephanie are hoping Charlie can come home today.

Oh no......

[FBI]

Yikes hope Hamonic's daughter is ok. Did they mention if she is ok?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FBI

Yikes hope Hamonic's daughter is ok. Did they mention if she is ok?

I assume if they are hoping she can come home from the hospital today that the doctors think she is no longer in danger.

[Otto-matic]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1086329764254601216

Hope Hammer doesn't feel rushed to get back in the lineup. Dude needs to take his time and be with his family.

[FlamesAreOne]

Honestly, I wish Hamonic wasn't playing until everything with his daughter is figured out.

Sounds very troubling and I would hate for him to feel "rushed" coming back to play. Maybe he just needs to get his mind off of things.

[Table 5]

Best of luck to his little girl. I'd be totally ok with the Flames just told him to stay home and come back after the All-Star break. None of these games are crucial, and nobody can focus on work when their child is going through something like this.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Wow. Also, I’m impressed that he has been able to maintain some degree of anonymity during this. When you’re walking in and out of a busy hospital so many times, word often gets out. Pleasantly surprised

[Beninho]

Man, my thoughts go out to Hamonic and his family. He’s already been through so much in his life and seems like such a stand up guy. Not to mention he’s having a wonderful season. Hopefully his daughter makes a speedy recovery!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

And the Arizona spot was likely only because Rittich hasn't been feeling 100% recently + Mike Smith's old team.

I very much doubt that. I suspect that the Arizona game was pencilled in for Smith weeks ago.

[BeltlineFan]

No GDT by noon? What's going on today CP?

[Jore]

it sounds like the hamonic's daughter's condition has improved, thank god:
https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/fami...st/c-304023368

The people at the hospital deserve a ton of credit. They're my daughter's guardian angels, and God too, for pulling her through. It was a scary time.

i also doubt, from that article, that the flames would force hamonic to come back if he did not feel ready or want to. wishing all the best for him and his family

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

https://twitter.com/user/status/1086329764254601216

Hope Hammer doesn't feel rushed to get back in the lineup. Dude needs to take his time and be with his family.

I know you were not implying otherwise, but I just wanted to commend the Flames ownership , management and coaching for their long , deep- seated and high prioritization of player and their families well being.

Truly exceptional.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by timbit

I know you were not implying otherwise, but I just wanted to commend the Flames ownership , management and coaching for their long , deep- seated and high prioritization of player and their families well being.

Truly exceptional.

I think for any employer this has to be the standard now. Not to diminish the Flames role in this, but it should never be a question if you'll have a supportive employer of your and your families needs, first.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Good to have Hamonic back.

Personally I'd probably send Valimaki down to the AHL for a conditioning stint once he's ready. That's a long time to miss for a guy his age and think he would be better served getting up to speed in the AHL.

I'd send Valimaki down simply because Kylington has been as good, and deserves to stay.

Valimaki is still just 19. No shame in playing a few weeks in the AHL and allowing him a little more protection as he works back from a high ankle sprain.

There will be another defenseman injured before long. It's hockey.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I think for any employer this has to be the standard now. Not to diminish the Flames role in this, but it should never be a question if you'll have a supportive employer of your and your families needs, first.

Probably wasn’t very clear. I was referring to the Flames long history of players and families welfare being paramount.

[Hockeyguy15]

It's so hard when kids get sick at that age, they can't tell you what's wrong and so much can go sideways quickly.

Sounds like things are getting better though so hopefully they continue in that direction.

[MrButtons]

We are lucky to have a man like this on the team.

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/fami...st/c-304023368

[Brick]

I am really looking forward to seeing Juuso Valimaki back in the lineup.

He has the highest ceiling of our young defencemen.